Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov to underscore ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Secretary Austin reiterated the Administration's commitment to asking Congress for the resources needed to ensure Ukraine can continue to defend its people.
Secretary Austin and Minister Umerov also discussed the successful outcomes of last week's Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Brussels, Belgium and recent developments on the ground in Ukraine.
The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact.